Baking

25 Comforting Desserts to Battle Bitter, Cold Winters

Posted on January 26, 2018 by Jenny Potter

The depth of winter is exactly when we need the warm and cozy comfort of a deep and delicious dessert. With most fresh fruit out of season, there are lots of lovely cinnamon, caramel and citrus-filled dessert recipes that will get you through even the worst winter storm.

1 of 25

Slow-Cooker Gooey Brownie Cake

<p>Slow-cookers to the rescue! Mix up your ooey-gooey brownie batter, turn on the slow-cooker and forget about it until dessert. Vanilla ice cream is pretty much required when serving, but a cold glass of milk would also do the trick.</p>
<p>Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/slow-cooker-gooey-brownie-cake/18951/" target="_blank"><strong>Slow-Cooker Gooey Brownie Cake</strong></a></p>

2 of 25

Blood Orange Upside Down Cake

<p>This cake cooks quickly, is easy to make and is always a showstopper as soon as you flip it out of the cake tin.</p>
<p>Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/blood-orange-upside-down-cake/15250/" target="_blank"><strong>Blood Orange Upside Down Cake</strong></a></p>

3 of 25

Slow-Cooker Sticky Toffee Pudding

<p>Employ your slow-cooker and bake up a gooey, oh-so-sweet sticky toffee pudding. A dollop of whipped cream or ice cream – or yogurt for the virtuous – is the ideal complement to this cake’s orange-infused, brown sugar and date decadence.</p>
Get the recipe for Slow-Cooker Sticky Toffee Pudding
<p>Get the recipe for <strong><a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/slow-cooker-sticky-toffee-pudding/18957/" target="_blank">Slow-Cooker Sticky Toffee Pudding</a></strong></p>

4 of 25

Pouding Chômeur

<p>This French Canadian sweet (a “poor man's pudding”) calls for maple syrup to be poured onto the batter before baking, leading to a decadent maple caramel pool at the bottom when it comes out of the oven.</p>
<p>Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/maple-pudding-chomeur/12108/" target="_blank"><strong> Ricardo's Maple Pudding Chômeur</strong></a></p>

5 of 25

Malted Milk Chocolate Chip Cookies

<p>Bring the malt shop to your kitchen with these sweet and simple cookies that are like eating a chocolate milkshake. Milk chocolate chips give these chewy bites an extra dose of sweetness.</p>
<p>Get the recipe for <strong><a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/malted-milk-chocolate-chip-cookies/20260/" target="_blank">The Pioneer Woman’s Malted Milk Chocolate Chip Cookies</a></strong></p>

6 of 25

Upside-Down Bananas Foster Cake

<p>Pineapple is the classic base for an upside down cake, but you’ll flip over how good this banana version tastes. Homemade caramel bubbles away with sliced banana to make the top of this boozy, rum-infused vanilla cake.</p>
<p>Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/upside-down-bananas-foster-cake/20458/" target="_blank"><strong>Upside-Down Bananas Foster Cake</strong></a></p>

7 of 25

Babka

<p>Baked bread, cinnamon and raisins is what all kitchens should smell like. This recipe takes a bit of work, but some of the best things in life can’t be rushed—and this version of babka with chopped walnuts is worth the effort.</p>
<p>Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/cinnamon-bun-babka/17385/" target="_blank"><strong>Tyler Florence’s Cinnamon Bun Babka</strong></a></p>

8 of 25

Caramelized Banana Upside-Down Cake

<p>Those mushy bananas sitting on your kitchen table are just an hour away from becoming this golden, moist banana cake recipe, crowned with even more bananas caramelized in maple syrup. Now that they’ve found their true calling, you'll be saving your overripe bananas for cake instead of bread.</p>
<p>Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/caramelized-banana-upside-down-cake/19827/" target="_blank"><strong>Caramelized Banana Upside-Down Cake</strong></a></p>

9 of 25

Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie

<p>Pull out that cast iron skillet for a crispy bottomed double chocolate cookie with a gooey centre. Plus, it's so simple to make! Just mix, scoop into the pan and bake.</p>
<p>Get the recipe for <strong><a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/chocolate-chip-skillet-cookie/20255/" target="_blank">Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie</a></strong></p>

10 of 25

Hazelnut Cinnamon Rolls

<p>Don’t you just want to curl up into one of these cinnamon rolls? A more hygge food does not exist.</p>
<p>Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/hazelnut-cinnamon-rolls/15480/" target="_blank"><strong>Giada De Laurentiis' Hazelnut Cinnamon Rolls</strong></a></p>

11 of 25

Cherry Turnovers

<p>Thaw one sheet of puff pastry, slice and stuff with fresh or frozen cherries for a tasty hand-held treat.</p>
<p>Get the recipe for <strong><a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/baking/blog/3-easy-and-delicious-desserts-using-frozen-fruit/" target="_blank">Cherry Turnovers</a></strong></p>

12 of 25

Meyer Lemon Meringue Cheesecake

<p>If you thought you've seen it all when it comes to Anna Olson's lemon desserts, think again — her brand new recipe is a must-try! Unbelievably creamy lemon cheesecake is topped with tangy lemon curd and finished with a mountain of torched meringue.</p>
<p>Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/meyer-lemon-meringue-cheesecake/19933/" target="_blank"><strong>Anna Olson's Meyer Lemon Meringue Cheesecake</strong></a></p>

13 of 25

Great Canadian Toque Cake

<p>Top off your meal with a tasty slice of Canadian maple toque cake. Decorate this cake with the patriotic red and white icing or go for more festive colour combo.</p>
<p>Get the recipe for <strong><a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/shows/great-canadian-cookbook/blog/get-cozy-with-the-great-canadian-toque-cake/" target="_blank">Great Canadian Toque Cake</a></strong></p>

14 of 25

Knock-You-Naked Brownies

<p>We could love these brownies for the name alone, and they don’t disappoint! That melted-caramel middle definitely makes a bold statement.</p>
<p>Get the recipe for <strong><a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/knock-you-naked-brownies/19772/" target="_blank">The Pioneer Woman's Knock-You-Naked Brownies</a></strong></p>

15 of 25

Peanut Butter Brownies with Salted Pretzels

<p>Can't decide what to serve for movie night? Sweet? Savouy? How about these Peanut Butter Brownies with Salted Pretzels to satisfy everyone? Bet you can't eat just one!</p>
<p>Get the recipe for <strong><a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/peanut-butter-brownies-with-salted-pretzels/19811/" target="_blank">Valerie Bertinelli’s Peanut Butter Brownies with Salted Pretzels</a></strong></p>

16 of 25

Slow Cooker Peach Cobbler

<p>Peaches are paired with the warming spices of cinnamon and ginger in this simple cobbler. The fruit — frozen is fine — is mixed with a bit of sugar before getting topped with biscuit dough and gently baked in the slow cooker for a cozy, uncomplicated dessert. </p>
<p>Get the recipe for <strong><a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/slow-cooker-peach-cobbler/19495/" target="_blank">Slow Cooker Peach Cobbler</a></strong></p>

Classic Cinnamon Sticky Buns

<p> Soft and gooey, bring a bakery staple into your kitchen with these sticky buns. At their tastiest when eaten the day they are baked, don’t feel back about immediately indulging. </p>
<p>Get the recipe for <strong><a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/classic-cinnamon-sticky-buns/12774/" target="_blank"> Anna Olson’s Cinnamon Sticky Buns</a> </strong> </p>

20 of 25

English Sticky Toffee Pudding

<p>What would English pudding be without the sticky toffee sauce?</p><p>Get the recipe for <strong><a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/english-sticky-toffee-pudding/12720" target="_blank">Anna Olson's English Sticky Toffee Pudding</a></strong></p>

Sugar Pie

<p>This sweet maple treat comes from Québec but is enjoyed by Canadians from coast to coast.</p>
<p>Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/sugar-pie/18515/" target="_blank"><strong>Ricardo’s Sugar Pie</strong></a></p>

Giant Portuguese Custard Tart

<p>Pastel de nata is already a delicious treat, but image the mouthwatering when you bring out a giant version of this Portuguese favourite. A touch of cinnamon in the creamy filling is what gives it the signature and addictive hint of spice to every bite.</p>
<p>Get the recipe for <strong><a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/shows/great-canadian-cookbook/recipe/giant-portuguese-custard-tart/19793/" target="_blank">Giant Portuguese Custard Tart</a></strong></p>